As the days get longer and spring colors reach their peak, there’s no better time to explore Brookgreen Gardens’ vast 9,127 acres, home to blossoming botanical gardens, the country’s largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture and a vibrant mix of seasonal events and programming for all ages.
This May, visitors can sip and stroll during the 5th annual Spring Wine Festival, lace up for the Memorial Day 5K through the scenic Gardens or let young adventurers explore the brand-new Pollinator Playground – an immersive, family-friendly maze that celebrates the vital role pollinators play in feeding the planet.
See below for event details.
Exhibitions:
Gardens of Glass: The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith, May 3 – Aug. 30
Gardens of Glass: The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith showcases vibrant glass sculptures that capture nature's beauty. On display in the Noble Gallery and throughout the Sculpture Gardens, the pieces shine by day with intricate colors and details, and on select summer evenings are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. Daytime admission is included with the general admission ticket to the Gardens, while evening visits require a separate event ticket to Summer Light: Art by Night, Wednesday and Saturday evenings, June 4 – August 30.
NAWA Exhibition - Brookgreen Inspires: Women Create, May 3 – July 20
Brookgreen Inspires: Women Create presents the beauty and power of Brookgreen Gardens and its collections as seen through the eyes of sculptors, painters and photographers who are members of the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Women Artists, an organization founded in 1889 to gain recognition for professional women artists in an era when that field was strongly male-oriented. Their interpretations of Brookgreen’s landscapes, sculptures, structures, animals and other inspirational views will be on display through the approximately 70 artworks juried for this exhibit.
- Related Event: Inspiring Conservation through Art with photographer Melinda Welker, May 4, 2 p.m.
Pollinator Playground, May 3 – Sept. 14
Guests are invited to fly, leap, climb, or crawl their way through this family-friendly exhibition and see what it takes for a pollinator to survive, help plants thrive, and, in the process, feed the world! Before the adventure begins, visitors will learn the ins and outs of pollination at Pollinator Basic Training. Then, they may use their knowledge to navigate through the maze – visiting flowers, avoiding threats and using their good survival instincts to steer clear of dead ends – fostering an appreciation for the physical abilities and adaptations pollinators use to collect nectar and pollen.
Special Events:
Spring Wine Festival, May 3, 1 – 4 p.m.
Hosted by the Friends of Brookgreen Gardens, the fifth annual Spring Wine Festival will give guests the opportunity to enjoy wine tastings and live music under Brookgreen's historic live oaks, all while contributing to the Campaign for the Next Generation to expand Brookgreen's offerings for the future. General admission includes ten tasting tickets and a commemorative glass and guests may purchase additional tickets on-site for wine tastings, games and other activities. Food trucks and vendors will also be present, and guests are welcome to bring a lawn chair to enjoy the festival. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3VSZp6J.
Price: Members: $55 | Non-Members: $65
Animal Art Experience with Scott Penegar, May 3, 9 :30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Brookgreen Gardens will host artist Scott Penegar for a nationwide event through the Society of Animal Artists, whose goal is to have SAA artists at zoos and wildlife refuges throughout the United States on May 3rd. As part of this widespread effort, Scott will be live sculpting in the Lowcountry Zoo all day for guests to observe and ask questions about animal art.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Harmony in Nature Series
These curated events are designed to deepen the connection with the natural world amidst the lush tranquility of Brookgreen, offering participants an invigorating blend of relaxation and discovery.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
- Yoga In The Gardens - Harmony in Nature Series, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- Brookgreen Labyrinth Walks - Harmony in Nature Series, May 3, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Breakfast with the Birds - Harmony in Nature Series, May 6, 20, 7 – 9 a.m.
- Get to Know Trees - Harmony in Nature Series, May 6, 10 – 11 a.m.
- Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation - Harmony in Nature Series, May 13, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Chair Yoga - Harmony In Nature, May 21, 28 10 – 11 a.m.
Art After Hours, May 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 24, 28, 5 – 8 p.m.
Experience an evening of art and dining in the Gardens with Brookgreen’s extended hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month. Visitors can enjoy art and indulge in dinner at Harvest Restaurant.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
12th Annual Brookgreen Gardens Memorial Day 5K, May 25, 6 p.m.
Brookgreen will host the 12th annual Memorial Day 5K through the Gardens. Runners and walkers will receive a participant shirt, race bib, medal, and complimentary entry to Brookgreen Gardens at a later date. For more information on parking, packet pickup, awards, and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3xsOaIj. Registration closes at 4:00 p.m. on race day.
Classes and Workshops:
Photo Walks in The Garden, May 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Photographers Anne Malarich, George DeCamp and Rick Farrell will take guests on a two-hour walk through Brookgreen Gardens with a camera in hand. Walks will cover photography topics like exposure and composition. Participants should have a good working knowledge of their cameras.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Open Studio, May 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Now located in Brookgreen’s new Simpson Art Center, Open Studio is a program that is open to the public once a month and invites guests to spend time with a sculptor and observe the various processes employed to produce a sculpture from clay to bronze.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Estate Planning Workshop, May 15, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Estate planning is something everyone must think about but is easy to put off for a later date. Brookgreen Gardens is hosting a complimentary estate planning workshop in the Jennewein Gallery just for this reason. Fatjon Cake, partner at The Floyd Law Firm, will provide an overview of basic concepts and tools that can be applied to anyone's personal plan needs and answer general questions. Seating is limited; reserve by emailing giving@brookgreen.org or calling 843-235-6047.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Watercolor Portrait Workshop: A step-by-step guide, May 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Led by award-winning, South Carolina-based artist Joshua Knight, this workshop will teach participants how to create a beautiful watercolor portrait from start to finish – beginning with basic sketching techniques and transfer methods for understanding facial proportions, then moving on to layering washes for life-like skin tones and depth. By the end, guests will have a fully realized portrait with smooth transitions, dynamic contrasts and a polished final piece. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to enhance their portrait skills.
Price: Members: $85 | Non-Members: $95
Teach Outside the Box: Sun-Printed Magic, May 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Children ages 5-14 are invited to explore the fascinating world of cyanotypes in this hands-on workshop. Participants will learn about this historic photographic process, which uses the sun to create stunning blueprints with natural materials. Through guided instruction, they will experiment with different compositions and techniques to create their own unique cyanotype prints to take home. This engaging experience blends art and science, encouraging creativity while introducing sustainable and nature-inspired artistic practices.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Presentations:
Sandy Island to Atlantic Beach: Supporting Gullah Cultural Conservation in the North Coast, May 6, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
The Coastal Conservation League engaged in a multi-year initiative – one of multiple dedicated to Gullah cultural conservation – alongside community partners to protect Sandy Island, the 12,000-acre island between the Waccamaw and the Pee Dee rivers. During this talk, North Coast Office Director at the Coastal Conservation League, Becky Ryon, will highlight efforts to support the residents of Sandy Island and surrounding areas in their fights against development and transportation projects that threaten their Gullah cultural heritage, environment and quality of life.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
“Spiderwort, Root Medicine, and Spiritual Healing", May 7, 21, 1 – 2 p.m.
Ron Daise explores Gullah Geechee culture and history through his novel Raptors in the Ricelands, set in a fictional twenty-first-century Georgetown, SC community. The story weaves family secrets and cultural conflicts with historical events, including the Orangeburg Massacre, Reconstruction and the launch of White supremacy in Fort Mill, SC. The book is conveyed in four acts and with chapter names that follow the production stages of Carolina Gold Rice.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Dirt and Details - Lowcountry Zoo, May 13, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Kaela Miller, Plan Collections Coordinator at Brookgreen, for an engaging tour of Brookgreen Gardens' Lowcountry Zoo, where horticulture and wildlife care converge. Participants will discover how maintaining plant life in a zoo setting differs from traditional garden spaces and the unique challenges and creative strategies used to cultivate a thriving environment that benefits both flora and fauna.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
The Virtuous Honeybee, May 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Beekeeper Tom Francis will discuss the virtues of honeybees and the lessons we can learn from the amazing super organism that is a honeybee colony. Specifically, he will discuss their work ethic, their cleanliness, their cooperation with each other and their usefulness to humanity. This presentation will reveal what humans can learn from this magnificent species.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Living Wonders: The Enchanting Giant Water Lily, May 20, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
In this engaging one-hour session led by dedicated Brookgreen volunteers Ken and Cindy Clark, guests will discover how Brookgreen Gardens nurtures the stunning Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid' Water Lily and its unique features, from its massive leaves to its breathtaking blooms. Perfect for plant lovers and curious minds alike, this talk will inspire a deeper appreciation for the beauty and biodiversity of Brookgreen Gardens.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Brookgreen 101, May 22 1 – 2 p.m.
Brookgreen 101 is a monthly public information program at the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium, covering various aspects of Brookgreen Gardens, including its collections, property, history, people, poetry, art history, corporate history, founders and purposes. This month’s topic will be Brookgreen Inspires – Women Create with Robin Salmon.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Recent Butterfly and Moth Surveys in South Carolina, May 27, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Guests are invited to join College of Charleston professor Dr. Brian Scholtens for an overview of his completed and ongoing research on South Carolina butterflies and moths. These include cataloging all the butterflies in the state, a survey of Congaree NP and a survey of Spring Island. He will also detail current efforts to survey Santee Coastal Reserve, specifically the area near the former Wedge Plantation, looking at how the fauna has changed in the 50 years since its initial survey in the 1960s and 1970s.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Slave Cabins at Francis Marion University, May 29, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
The hewn timber cabins preserved by Francis Marion University serve as living artifacts and testaments to the resilience of the people of African descent in the Pee Dee Region and stand as an integral part of the land’s legacy and the region’s historical heritage. This presentation led by Dr. Todd C. Couch, Associate Professor of Sociology and Co-Director of African and African American Studies at Francis Marion University, will provide an overview of the history of the land on which the cabins exist, explore the lives of the families that lived in them and discuss the current function of the cabins at the university.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission